User Reviews

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
Philip van Tonder
a Audio Enthusiast

Date Reviewed: November 11, 2014

Bottom Line:

I own a Linn Axis with Sumiko Pearl cartridge, a Duel 505-2 with an Ortofon 5e cartridge and i recently purchased a Denon DP60L on which i put an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge. The Duel is what i listen to a lot . Then when i want to treat myself i play either the Linn or the Denon, depending on what music i am in the mood for. I must admit, the Denon is steeling my heart over my Linn. It looks the part and it sounds amazing. I love this turntable.

I once bought a DP60L to replace a Dual 721 and owned it for several years.
As other reviewers wrote the DP60L is a solid build directdrive deck of high
quality and high flexibility regarding to cartridges thanks to the interchangeable
armpipes with different effective masses.
Later Denon Models are somewhat lowered in buildquality (f.e. DP59) despite
similar looks and features.
The time i used this deck i was satiesfied with it. However i cant say it was
definitly better than my former 721 but it has surely more "hifi-gloria".
In retrospect after having owned a bunch of big jap decks of the golden era and
some the DP60L was one of the best decks ive owned. Sadly they build them
not like that anymore and cheap plastic crap took over long ago.

Quality is the word that best describes the DP 60L. Manufactured in 1980, my DP 60L looks and runs as if it just came out of the box. Cosmetically, the unit is a visual showpiece. The dustcover is sturdy with adjustable tenion hinges. The case is solid wood with a glossy rosewood veneer finish.
Mechanically, you will be hard pressed to find a machine that treats your records and your ears as well. The DP 60L is loaded with fine tuning adjustments to enhance your listening experience. Other than the usual anti-skate and stylus pressure adjustments, you can also adjust arm height, arm lift height, lead out adjustment and interchange straight for "S" style tonearms. The platter could be a little heaviier, however, the sheer weight of the entire unit (33LBS) coupled with a dead quiet, quartz locked motor provide for very low "wow and Flutter" and vibration specs.
This is a fully manual table which is best for minimizing record and stylus wear which means there are no mechanics (motor) connected to the horizontal movement of the tonearm. A peave of mine regarding manual tables is that you have to manually lift the arm off the record when it finishes. Not so with the DP 60L. The system employs a contactless arm lift and shutoff system when the record ends. This is done through the use of a sensor which can be adjusted if necesary with "lead out" adjustment screw.
As the system comes with 2 tone arms, it allows you to experiment more freely with different cartridges to further enhance your listening experience. Currently, I am using a Denon DL110 in the straight arm and a Grado Silver cartridge in the "S" shaped arm.
These units are becoming more and hard to find but if you keep an eye out on E-bay, one will eventually turn up so get ready to place your bid. Overall this turntable will satisfy the tastes of most analogue audiophile enthusiasts. I personally could not be more satisfied.

"Quality" is the first word that comes to mind in describing this machine. I've owned many turntables in the past but nothing that compares with the DP 60L Aside from it's astounding beautiful looks, it is a high end precision record player and would recommend for anyone who wants the best for thier records.
This TT is fully manual with a very unique shut off system. When the needle reaches the end of the record, it is gently raised off the record and the platter stops spinning. This action is engaged by a "contactless" sensor system that eliminates any mechanical intervention with the horizontal movement of the tonearm at the end of the record, thus eliminating any unwanted forces on the sylus and record.
It comes with a straight tube arm and "s" shaped arm which are easily interchangeable. I am using a Denon DL-110 cartridge in the straight and a Grado Silver cartridge in the "s" shaped arm. I am finding that my music enjoyment is enhanced with the ability to switch from one to the other as each cartridge defines the music being played a little differently.
If you are like me and are into lots of fine tuning, this table has many possible adjustments. Besides the usual counterweight and anti- skate adjustments, the DP 60L also has a tonearm height adjustment, an arm lift height adjustment, a "lead out" adjustment, and an adjustment on the actual counterweight that allows you to use cartridges of various weights.
The drive motor in this system is quartz locked and dead silent. The platter isn't the heaviest but "wow and Flutter" are virtually non existant. The weight of the entire unit is about 30 lbs so most unwanted vibration is absorbed. Since purchasing the DP 60L, I have started purchasing LP's again, many of the 180 and 200g variety. I am just amazed at the quality of the sound I get on this turntable, in most cases better than cd
These tables are hard to come by as they were manufactured in 1980. I was fortunate enough to get one in pretty much mint condition including a very clean, clear dust cover. You will see them from time to time on E Bay so do yourself a favour and put in your bid. This is truly a top quality player.